Post by mommadee48 on May 26, 2022 11:44:11 GMT -5
FROM the PASTOR's HEART: by C. Stanley:
EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, SOMEBODY SAYS TO ME, "I've heard you preach on the goodness of God, but I can't see it in my life. After I was saved, everything got worse, not better."
Have you ever felt like this?
Perhaps you've prayed for a good outcome to a problem, but God didn't answer. In fact, the situation may have become more difficult than it was before you prayed. Or maybe you claimed a promise in Scripture, but it seems like God hasn't kept His word.
Would it help you to know that this a common experience in the Christian life?
The problem isn't with God, but with our understanding. We must be careful not to confuse the Lord's goodness with our expectations. When we don't understand what He's doing, we can still trust who He is.
I think you'll find the story of Moses helpful as you seek to understand God's ways. After God spoke to Moses from a burning bush, the reluctant leader obeyed, went to Egypt, and told Pharaoh to let God's people go. But the outcome wasn't what he expected. Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he added to the Hebrews' workload, increasing their hardship (EXODUS5). God's promise to free the Israelites was sure, but His means of accomplishing it would not be easy.
We've probably all experienced something similar. We obey the Lord, yet trouble and suffering follow. Then we think we've done something wrong or accuse God of being unfaithful. Neither reaction is the right solution. Instead, we should look beyond the immediate circumstances.
Realize that God works with a big picture in mind. Moses may have wondered how increasing the Israelites' suffering could possibly fit with setting them free, but he knew the Lord's name was I AM, the One who eternally exists in the past, present, and future (EXODUS 3:14). God's plan reached far beyond the enslaved Israelites. He told Moses, "Then the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I extend My hand over Egypt and bring out the sons of Israel from their midst" (EXODUS7:5). Yet even this was not the end of God's purpose. His ultimate goal was to bring forth a Jewish nation through whom Jesus Christ, the Savior and Redeemer, would come.
God's people couldn't foresee all that He had in mind at that time, and neither can we today. They needed t look beyond the immediate circumstances and trust God to work out the big picture for their ultimate good. So do we. If we'll trust Him even when we don't understand what He's doing, He'll strengthen our faith.
Trust God to keep HIS promises. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us not to rely on our own understanding, but to trust the Lord with all our hearts. This is exactly what Moses needed to do. He had only the words God spoke to him as a foundation for his trust, but we have the completed written Word of GOD. Everything else we possess could vanish, but God's Word stands forever and will never change. Every promise is guaranteed by Him. They may not be fulfilled as you expect or when you want, but they won't fail.
Remember that God is the Sovereign of the universe, and everything is within His power. "The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all" (PSLAM 103:19). Pharaoh was a proud King who dominated the Hebrews, but he was no match for the Lord, The demonstration of God's power over this earthly ruler became known throughout the world.
Even today, the Jews still celebrate Passover and their redemption from slavery in Egypt.
The Almighty is also in control of our lives as He accomplishes His perfect will. Like the Hebrews, who were unable to see God's redemption until it was completed, we can't perceive all He's doing. Yet even in our most painful situations, He's working for our good (ROMANS 8:28).
Know that God is never late with His deliverance. The Israelites may have wondered why they had to wait 400 years to be rescued. They probably didn't realize that God used Egypt to grow His nation. They increased from 70 people to a great multitude during those years (DEUTROMITY 10:22). Then at just the right time, the Lord revealed Himself to them and demonstrated His mighty power and love by miraculously delivering them out of Egypt as His chosen people.
This is the same all-powerful God in whom we trust for our salvation. He has given us His Word, and every promise is sure. We may pray for a long time without receiving an answer and go through challenging and painful circumstances, wondering why God doesn't rescue us, but He is never late according to His perfect plan.
My prayer is that these truths will help you hold tightly to the Lord as you walk through the storms of life. We haven't been promised a trouble-free passage, but we're eternally secure in our Savior who loves us and walks with us through every trying time. Amen.
Next:
CITIZENS OF TWO WORLDS/DAILY WORD:
Believers in Jesus live in two worlds with two citizenships. We have, as Paul said, citizenship in heaven but we also have our citizenship in the world. Recognizing the tension this presents. some have referred to our current status as similar to that of "resident aliens". Our primary Citizenship is not of this world, yet in this world we continue to make our residence.
However, our citizenship in heaven doesn't preclude us from having responsibilities in this world. In fact, those responsibilities become a matter of even greater significance because, as believers in Christ, how we live out our heavenly citizenship in our earthly nations of residence becomes an important part of how we bear witness to Jesus as our true Lord and King.
How can we live out our heavenly citizenship here?
Pray for Leaders: "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people-for Kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness" (TIMOTHY 2:1-2). This isn't an issue of philosophical agreement; it's a matter of spiritual responsibility. Our elected leaders deserve and need our prayers- whether we agree with their political positions or not.
SUBMIT TO GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY: "Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established" (ROMANS13:1). In the book of Daniel, we're reminded repeatedly (DANIEL 4:17,25,32; 5:21) that God's sovereign over human authority, but leaders are appointed by God according to His own purposes, whether or not we understand those purposes.
RENDER TO CAESAR: "Give back to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's "(MATTHEW 22:21). Paul agrees with this in Romans 13:6-7, reminding us that human government has a role to play a in God's economy and that we have a responsibility to support the workings of the governments and leaders of the nations in which we live.
LIVE AN HONORABLE LIFE: "Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor" (1 PETER2:17). This isn't only at the heart of being a good citizen, it also reflects the call of Christ to love our neighbors as ourselves (MATTHEW 22:39). By living honorably and showing honor to others---including those in government---we live as those who seek to honor God as well.
In addition to these direct responses to human government, believers in Christ also have the slightly more indirect challenge of living like Jesus wherever we reside. This involves the things that represent HIS heart---care for the poor, help for the weak, and justice for the oppressed.
"Believers in Christ have the challenge of living like Jesus wherever we reside".
EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, SOMEBODY SAYS TO ME, "I've heard you preach on the goodness of God, but I can't see it in my life. After I was saved, everything got worse, not better."
Have you ever felt like this?
Perhaps you've prayed for a good outcome to a problem, but God didn't answer. In fact, the situation may have become more difficult than it was before you prayed. Or maybe you claimed a promise in Scripture, but it seems like God hasn't kept His word.
Would it help you to know that this a common experience in the Christian life?
The problem isn't with God, but with our understanding. We must be careful not to confuse the Lord's goodness with our expectations. When we don't understand what He's doing, we can still trust who He is.
I think you'll find the story of Moses helpful as you seek to understand God's ways. After God spoke to Moses from a burning bush, the reluctant leader obeyed, went to Egypt, and told Pharaoh to let God's people go. But the outcome wasn't what he expected. Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he added to the Hebrews' workload, increasing their hardship (EXODUS5). God's promise to free the Israelites was sure, but His means of accomplishing it would not be easy.
We've probably all experienced something similar. We obey the Lord, yet trouble and suffering follow. Then we think we've done something wrong or accuse God of being unfaithful. Neither reaction is the right solution. Instead, we should look beyond the immediate circumstances.
Realize that God works with a big picture in mind. Moses may have wondered how increasing the Israelites' suffering could possibly fit with setting them free, but he knew the Lord's name was I AM, the One who eternally exists in the past, present, and future (EXODUS 3:14). God's plan reached far beyond the enslaved Israelites. He told Moses, "Then the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I extend My hand over Egypt and bring out the sons of Israel from their midst" (EXODUS7:5). Yet even this was not the end of God's purpose. His ultimate goal was to bring forth a Jewish nation through whom Jesus Christ, the Savior and Redeemer, would come.
God's people couldn't foresee all that He had in mind at that time, and neither can we today. They needed t look beyond the immediate circumstances and trust God to work out the big picture for their ultimate good. So do we. If we'll trust Him even when we don't understand what He's doing, He'll strengthen our faith.
Trust God to keep HIS promises. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us not to rely on our own understanding, but to trust the Lord with all our hearts. This is exactly what Moses needed to do. He had only the words God spoke to him as a foundation for his trust, but we have the completed written Word of GOD. Everything else we possess could vanish, but God's Word stands forever and will never change. Every promise is guaranteed by Him. They may not be fulfilled as you expect or when you want, but they won't fail.
Remember that God is the Sovereign of the universe, and everything is within His power. "The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all" (PSLAM 103:19). Pharaoh was a proud King who dominated the Hebrews, but he was no match for the Lord, The demonstration of God's power over this earthly ruler became known throughout the world.
Even today, the Jews still celebrate Passover and their redemption from slavery in Egypt.
The Almighty is also in control of our lives as He accomplishes His perfect will. Like the Hebrews, who were unable to see God's redemption until it was completed, we can't perceive all He's doing. Yet even in our most painful situations, He's working for our good (ROMANS 8:28).
Know that God is never late with His deliverance. The Israelites may have wondered why they had to wait 400 years to be rescued. They probably didn't realize that God used Egypt to grow His nation. They increased from 70 people to a great multitude during those years (DEUTROMITY 10:22). Then at just the right time, the Lord revealed Himself to them and demonstrated His mighty power and love by miraculously delivering them out of Egypt as His chosen people.
This is the same all-powerful God in whom we trust for our salvation. He has given us His Word, and every promise is sure. We may pray for a long time without receiving an answer and go through challenging and painful circumstances, wondering why God doesn't rescue us, but He is never late according to His perfect plan.
My prayer is that these truths will help you hold tightly to the Lord as you walk through the storms of life. We haven't been promised a trouble-free passage, but we're eternally secure in our Savior who loves us and walks with us through every trying time. Amen.
Next:
CITIZENS OF TWO WORLDS/DAILY WORD:
Believers in Jesus live in two worlds with two citizenships. We have, as Paul said, citizenship in heaven but we also have our citizenship in the world. Recognizing the tension this presents. some have referred to our current status as similar to that of "resident aliens". Our primary Citizenship is not of this world, yet in this world we continue to make our residence.
However, our citizenship in heaven doesn't preclude us from having responsibilities in this world. In fact, those responsibilities become a matter of even greater significance because, as believers in Christ, how we live out our heavenly citizenship in our earthly nations of residence becomes an important part of how we bear witness to Jesus as our true Lord and King.
How can we live out our heavenly citizenship here?
Pray for Leaders: "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people-for Kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness" (TIMOTHY 2:1-2). This isn't an issue of philosophical agreement; it's a matter of spiritual responsibility. Our elected leaders deserve and need our prayers- whether we agree with their political positions or not.
SUBMIT TO GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY: "Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established" (ROMANS13:1). In the book of Daniel, we're reminded repeatedly (DANIEL 4:17,25,32; 5:21) that God's sovereign over human authority, but leaders are appointed by God according to His own purposes, whether or not we understand those purposes.
RENDER TO CAESAR: "Give back to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's "(MATTHEW 22:21). Paul agrees with this in Romans 13:6-7, reminding us that human government has a role to play a in God's economy and that we have a responsibility to support the workings of the governments and leaders of the nations in which we live.
LIVE AN HONORABLE LIFE: "Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor" (1 PETER2:17). This isn't only at the heart of being a good citizen, it also reflects the call of Christ to love our neighbors as ourselves (MATTHEW 22:39). By living honorably and showing honor to others---including those in government---we live as those who seek to honor God as well.
In addition to these direct responses to human government, believers in Christ also have the slightly more indirect challenge of living like Jesus wherever we reside. This involves the things that represent HIS heart---care for the poor, help for the weak, and justice for the oppressed.
"Believers in Christ have the challenge of living like Jesus wherever we reside".